Starting in the 1920s, auto manufacturers began painting car bodies using a hand-spraying technique to speed up the painting process, and overspray would accumulate in the paint bays. Over time, layer upon colorful layer built up.

The pieces of enamel paint slag were repeatedly hardened in the ovens in which the cars went to cure the paint. Now, they’re often collected, polished, and formed into jewelry. Fordite.com can help you learn more about this fascinating material.